Mark Ballas

Mark Ballas is a veteran professional dancer and reality competition judge best known for his work on Dancing With The Stars. He has established a long-standing presence in televised ballroom dancing as both a professional partner and a featured judge on franchise programming.

Ballas served on the judging panel for the spinoff series Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro alongside his mother, veteran judge Shirley Ballas, and guest judge Kym Johnson. During his time on the panel, he evaluated emerging talent and professional dance routines during key stages of the competition.

In addition to his judging role, Ballas returned to the main series as a professional partner to former Love Island star Maura Higgins. Their pairing sparked behind-the-scenes backlash and claims of an unfair advantage from rival contestants due to their pre-existing personal friendship outside the ballroom, though Higgins noted that Ballas earned her trust directly through their work in rehearsals.